UsedScore

2013 Ford Explorer: Use caution

Owners filed 638 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Ford Explorer in its first five years on the road, about 344 for every 100,000 sold: 1.9× the rate of a typical Explorer year. That's above average, so use caution.

The biggest problem area, counting serious complaints more, is the engine (24% of complaints, median 35,000 miles).

Complaint index
1.9×
per vehicle sold, vs. a typical Explorer year
Rank
12th of 14
1st = fewest complaints
Complaints
638
first five years; 344 per 100,000 sold
Recalls
11
campaigns
5th generation, 2011–2019 · Updated September 24, 2026 · How we rate
2011 Ford Explorer Limited

Photo: 2011 Ford Explorer Limited · IFCAR, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Problem areas

Ranked by severity-weighted complaints · share · median miles
  1. Engine24% · 151 complaints · median 35,000 miles
  2. Steering19% · 118 complaints · median 53,000 miles
  3. Fuel and propulsion14% · 87 complaints · median 30,000 miles
  4. Body and structure16% · 100 complaints · median 42,000 miles
  5. Powertrain7% · 45 complaints · median 39,000 miles
  6. Electrical9% · 56 complaints · median 37,000 miles
  7. Air bags2% · 10 complaints · median 24,000 miles
  8. Brakes5% · 32 complaints · median 36,000 miles
  9. Speed control4% · 24 complaints · median 27,000 miles
  10. Lights2% · 13 complaints · median 24,000 miles

Bars rank problem areas by complaints weighted for severity (crashes, fires, injuries and deaths count more). A complaint can name more than one area. Mileage is reported on about half of complaints.

What owners describe

Engine

Many owners of this Explorer report exhaust or burning smells filling the cabin when accelerating, especially uphill or merging onto highways, sometimes causing headaches or nausea. Dealers frequently attempted bulletin-based repairs like sealing or venting fixes, but owners often say the smell kept coming back.

Warning signs:
Owners notice a gasoline, exhaust, or sulfur-like smell through the AC vents during hard acceleration, hills, or highway merging, sometimes with headaches, nausea, or dizziness.
What shops did:
Dealers often applied a technical service bulletin, sealed vents or seams, replaced air extractors, or reprogrammed the HVAC, but many owners say the odor returned or was never resolved.
Mileage:
most between 20,000 and 90,000 miles, among 223 complaints that give it

“When accelerating, with engine rpms rising above ~3500 RPM, a noxious sulfur-like odor is admitted into the passenger cabin through the climate control vents.”

“When accelerating a stong exhaust smell is present in the vehicle cabin. This is most pronounced during a long acceleration I.e. When entering a highway.”

Fuel and propulsion

Owners of this Explorer commonly describe exhaust or fuel smells filling the cabin, particularly when accelerating hard or merging onto highways, along with occasional stalling or fuel leaks. Many say dealers struggled to permanently fix the odor even after recall repairs or service bulletins, leaving the issue recurring over time.

Warning signs:
Many report a strong exhaust, sulfur, or gasoline smell through the AC vents especially during hard acceleration or highway merging, sometimes with headaches, dizziness, or nausea.
What shops did:
Dealers often could not replicate or fix the odor despite performing a service bulletin or recall repair, replacing gaskets, fuel pumps, or fuel tanks, though some owners say the smell returned or persisted.
Mileage:
most between 20,000 and 85,000 miles, among 117 complaints that give it

“When accelerating, with engine rpms rising above 3500 RPM exhaust fumes begin to enter the cabin through the ac ducts.”

“The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, but the cause of the failure was undetermined.”

Steering

Owners describe the power steering suddenly becoming heavy or locking up, often with dashboard warnings, sometimes while turning or driving at highway speed. Many say a dealer replaced the steering rack or gear, and many mention a related recall that their vehicle was told it did not qualify for.

Warning signs:
Many describe warning lights or messages such as 'service power steering,' 'power steering assist fault,' AdvanceTrac, or traction/terrain control faults, sometimes with grinding or clicking noises.
What shops did:
Owners report dealers replacing the steering rack, gear, or electric power steering assembly, updating software, or in some cases finding nothing wrong or being told the vehicle was not covered by a recall.
Mileage:
most between 70,000 and 130,000 miles, among 615 complaints that give it

“Power steering suddenly stop working and all across the dash, warning lights lit up, stability control fault, power steering assist fault”

Summaries are written with AI from the owner complaints shown on NHTSA's site and checked against them; quotes are word for word.

Recalls (11)

Check a VIN on NHTSA ›
  • NHTSA 24V031000January 20241,889,110 vehicles

    Structure: body: roof and pillars

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles. The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach.

    Risk: A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the A-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 21V746000September 2021150,723 vehicles

    Suspension: rear

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. These vehicles may be equipped with a cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) replacement part that could seize, and result in a fracture of the outboard section of the rear suspension toe link.

    Risk: A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Dealer will inspect for the presence of a CABJ.

  • NHTSA 21V537000July 2021631,176 vehicles

    Suspension: rear

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. Exposure to road salt can cause the cross-axis ball joint to corrode and seize, resulting in a fracture of the outboard section of the rear suspension toe link.

    Risk: A rear toe-link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace as necessary, the cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) knuckle, and replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 20V675000March 2021454,941 vehicles

    Suspension: rear

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Explorer vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin that were previously repaired under a prior recall numbers 16V-245 or 19V-435. The outboard section of a rear suspension toe link may fracture.

    Risk: A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) knuckle attached to the rear suspension toe link and replace it as necessary, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 19V435000June 20191,194,173 vehicles

    Suspension: rear

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Explorer vehicles. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.

    Risk: A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, and inspect both rear toe link ball joints, replacing the rear wheel knuckle(s), if necessary, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 15V812000December 2015868 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Explorer, Explorer Police Utility, Taurus, Taurus Police Interceptor, Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may crack, allowing fuel to leak.

    Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.

    Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel delivery module, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 15V171000March 2015194,484 vehicles

    Structure: body: door

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Explorer vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the interior door handle return spring may unseat, resulting in interior door handle that does not return to the fully stowed position after actuation.

    Risk: If the interior door handle return spring is unseated, the door may unlatch in the event of a side impact crash, increasing the risk of personal injury.

    Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect all four of the interior door handles and either repair or replace them, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 14V286000May 2014179,027 vehicles

    Steering: electric power assist system

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured May 17, 2010, through February 28, 2012. The affected vehicles may experience an intermittent connection in the electric power steering gear, which can cause a loss of the motor position sensor signal resulting in a shut down of the power steering assist.

    Risk: If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist it will require extra steering effort at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

    Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) software, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 13V270000June 201312,569 vehicles

    Latches/locks/linkages

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Ford Explorer, Taurus, and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured November 29, 2012, through December 12, 2012. In the affected vehicles, with sufficient door openings and closings, the child safety locks may change from an activated position to a deactivated position without notice.

    Risk: If the child lock is deactivated, the door could be unlocked and opened from the inside which could lead to personal injury to an unrestrained child.

    Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will test the safety locks.

  • NHTSA 13V227000May 2013390,783 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline

    Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Explorer, Taurus, Flex, Fusion, Police Interceptor Sedan and Police Interceptor Utility vehicles; and certain model year 2013 Lincoln MKS, MKT, and MKZ vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may develop a crack, allowing fuel to leak.

    Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.

    Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel delivery module, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 13V109000March 20133,037 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly

    Ford is recalling certain model year 2012 Taurus, Lincoln MKS, and model year 2013 Explorer vehicles manufactured July 19, 2011, through March 15, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the fuel tanks may have a marginally sealed seam in the side of the tank. As a result, the fuel tanks may not provide the expected strength in the event of an impact. The tanks may also leak.

    Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.

    Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel tanks and replace them as necessary, free of charge.

A recall only helps if the repair was done. Enter the vehicle's 17-character VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup before you buy.

Service bulletins

Ford sent NHTSA 139 service bulletins and other notices to dealers covering the 2013 Explorer. These are repair instructions, not recalls. Warranty extensions and bulletins about its top problem areas:

  • SSM 49210 · September 2020Some 2009-2020 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbochargers may exhibit an oil leak from the turbocharger oil supply or return tubes, O-rings or 6.7L pedestal gasket.
  • DOR-M3J3F-07 · June 2020These SKUs are Exhaust Manifolds with Catalytic Converters.
  • DOR-M9J4S-07 · June 2020These SKUs are Exhaust Manifolds with Catalytic Converters.
  • TSB 19-2389 · December 2019Some 2013-2019 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 3.5L twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT) engine may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble…
  • TSB 19-2244 · August 2019Some 2013-2019 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 3.5L twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT) engine may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble…
  • 19N05 · June 2019Customer Satisfaction Program 19N05: Certain 2011-2017 Model Year Explorer Vehicles - Carbon Monoxide Concern
  • SSM 47948 · April 2019SSM 47948 - 2010-2019 Various Vehicles - Turbocharged Engines - Oil Supply Filter Replacement When Replacing The Turbocharger Or The Turbocharger Oil Supply Tube For 2010-2019 vehicles equipped with…
  • SSM 47797 · February 2019Some 2009-2017 Expedition/Navigator, 2009-2014 F-150/Mustang, 2008-2009 Sable, 2008-2019 Taurus/Flex/MKT, 2013-2019 Police Interceptor Sedan/Utility, and 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles may exhibit…

All 2013 Explorer bulletins on NHTSA ›

Questions owners ask

Is the 2013 Ford Explorer reliable?
Owners filed 638 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Ford Explorer in its first five years on the road, about 344 for every 100,000 sold: 1.9× the rate of a typical Explorer year. That's above average, so use caution. Ratings compare Explorer years with each other using complaints filed with NHTSA; they don't measure every problem owners have.
What are the most common 2013 Explorer problems?
Owners' complaints most often involve the engine (24%), the steering (19%) and the fuel or propulsion system (14%). A complaint can name more than one area.
Has the 2013 Ford Explorer been recalled?
Yes. NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for the 2013 Ford Explorer, the most recent in January 2024 (structure). Enter the vehicle's VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to see whether the repairs were done.

Sources

Owner complaints, recalls and manufacturer communications from NHTSA's public data files, as of September 24, 2026. Complaints are counted once each, over the model year's first 60 months on the road. UsedScore is not affiliated with NHTSA or Ford. The 2013 Ford Explorer on NHTSA.gov · How we rate